Ray Rice returns a favor to former Rutgers teammate Brian Leonard

View full sizeDoug Kapustin/MCTBaltimore Ravens running back and former Rutgers standout Ray Rice was the star at Brian Leonard's Embrace Kids Charity fundraiser today in New York.

NEW YORK — Ray Rice says he will never forget how Brian Leonard was always there for him in college, first changing positions then paving the way as a blocker so Rice — the best running back in Rutgers history — could blossom into a full-fledged star.

So when Leonard extended an invitation to Rice to join him at his third annual Embrace Kids Charity fundraiser at the 300 Complex at Chelsea Piers today, there was no need to check the calendar.

Count me in, Rice told Leonard.

“One thing I’ve learned about the NFL is that (playing) is only half of our job,” said Rice. “The other half is giving back to the community. Brian being my old teammate, he was like my big brother in college.

“This is just a small token of appreciation to support him.”

Leonard, now a veteran third-down back and special teams player for the Cincinnati Bengals, lured more than two dozen former Rutgers players to the event for the New Brunswick-based charity, from recent Super Bowl champions (Brandon Bing) to runners up (Devin McCourty and Alex Silvestro) to newly signed players (Howard Barbieri with the Baltimore Ravens, Rice’s team) to the recently released (Kevin Haslam, cut ysterday by the Jacksonville Jaguars).

But Rice, as was usually the case at Rutgers, was the headliner.

And it didn’t matter to the 25-year-old Baltimore Ravens star that there is the small matter of a new contract to be negotiated hanging over him.

“Just no contract talk, okay?” said Rice, given the franchise tag by the Ravens, which means he will earn $7.7 million this season.

Reports have circulated that Rice is seeking a deal similar to Adrian Peterson, who has agreed to a seven-year, $100 million contract.

And Rice had an even better year, leading the NFL in all-purpose yards (2,068) while rushing for 1,364. So the time to strike — contractually, at least — is now for Rice, who is entering his fifth season in the league. That’s just about the average shelf life for an NFL running back, though Rice proclaimed himself healthy and in top shape and ready for more.

“I’m young. I’m 25. I came into the league early,” said Rice, who left Rutgers after topping 2,000 rushing yards as a junior. “If you see the way we have our system set up, not one back has to do it all. It’s me and Ricky Williams. The load in the NFL is different. It’s not like the load I had in college.”

The players Rice mingled with last night were many of his old Rutgers teammates, guys he faces on Sundays now.

He says it’s “weird” playing against so many friends, but acknowledges that the first time he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and coach Greg Schiano — which won’t happen this year, however — will be even stranger. They were always close at Rutgers.

“I have to give him a big hug. And I won’t do any trash talking,” Rice said. “Coach Schiano knows. There’s a mutual respect. It’ll probably be in his game plan: ‘You can’t let Ray Rice beat us.’ ”